Promotional container

ABSTRACT

A cup-shaped container is adapted to be used with a promotional item. The promotional item is removeably attached to the underside of the cup-shaped container while maintaining the visibility of the promotional item. The promotional item comprises a substrate, an extruded film, and a communication media. The communication media is positioned between the substrate and the extruded film. The substrate is at least partially adhered to the extruded film to encapsulate the communication media while the communication media is at least partially visible through the extruded film.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a container for use in transporting, storing and displaying a promotional item, advertising information, imaging and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to a cup-shaped container adapted to be used with a promotional item that is removeably attached to an underside of the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for beverages and other substances intended for consumer products are well known. Retailers use printed advertising or promotional activities such as compact disc music or games on the body of containers to increase the sales of their products. For example, often retailers employ promotional items such as compact disc games in which the customer can receive instant prizes and/or collect game pieces in an effort to earn prizes. Such games commonly use game pieces which consumers either immediately return or collect and return for prizes.

In addition, empty space on the body of the containers provides an opportunity for incorporating printed promotional items and/or advertising information and thereby makes use of the entire surface of the container for such purposes. Unfortunately, most of the promotional items do not generally conform to the body of the container and therefore, the retailers distribute such promotional items and/or advertising information separately from the containers. Some retailers even use the container's lid as a means to attach promotional items or display advertising information. However, it is not desirable to provide the promotional item separately from the container (i.e., on the lid rather than directly on the container) since the retailers can not ensure that customers receive the promotional item with their purchase.

Other drawbacks of the present containers with the promotional items are lack of capturing customer attention and in some cases the promotional item is easily tampered or detached form the container.

What is needed therefore is a container adapted to be used with a promotional item that can be securely attached directly to a container/cup while maintaining visibility of the promotional item during normal use of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a container having a promotional item removeably attached to an underside of the container such that the visibility of the promotional item is maintained while the container is in normal use.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a cup-shaped container comprising a body having a side wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall defines an upper portion and a lower portion of the body. A promotional item is removeably attached to the lower portion of the container.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a promotional item is provided for use on a cup-shaped container. The promotional item comprises a substrate, an extruded film, and a communication media. The communication media is positioned between the substrate and the extruded film. The extruded film is at least partially adhered to the substrate to encapsulate the communication media such that the communication media is at least partially visible through the extruded film. The promotional item is removeably attached to an underside of the cup-shaped container.

In accordance with one further aspect of the invention, a container is adapted to be used with a promotional item. The container comprises a side wall and a bottom wall configured to separate the side wall into an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the side wall is adapted to removeably retain the promotional item while maintaining visibility of the promotional item.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a promotional container constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating a communication media positioned between a substrate and an extruded film;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a promotional item frictionally fitted to underside of the container;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, taken along the line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the perspective view of FIG. 2, taking along the line 4-4; and

FIG. 5 is a portion of a perspective view of the promotional container in FIG. 2, depicting an alternative manner the promotional item can be attached to underside of the cup in accordance with the present invention.

DETAIL DISCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a promotional container 10. A promotional item 20 is attached to an underside of the promotional container 10 in accordance with the present invention. The promotional container 10 includes a body 12 having a side wall 14 and a bottom wall 16. The bottom wall 16 defines the body 12 to an upper portion 18 a and a lower portion 18 b. The lower portion 18 b includes a bottom recess 22 sized to receive the promotional item 20. The lower portion 18 b is separated from the upper portion 18 a by the bottom wall 16 such that the upper portion 18 a defines a sealed cup-shaped region for receiving and holding a liquid therein. The promotional container 10 is generally inverse-frustoconical in shape such as a cup or a mug, and can be used to hold hot or cold food such as coffee, beer, tea and/or soda. The promotional container 10 can be made from paperboard or plastic or other material suitably rigid to retain its shape. The side wall 14 includes a top end 24 a and a bottom end 24 b. The top end 24 a forms a rolled lip 26 which engages with a lid (not shown) to seal the cup-shaped region of the upper portion 18 a of the promotional container 10 after the container 10 is filled with liquid or other substances. In addition, the rolled lip 26 provides a smooth rim for drinking. The extension of the bottom end 24 b below the bottom wall 16 defines the bottom recess 22 in the lower portion of the container 10.

The promotional item 20 is a blister packaged that comprises a substrate 28, an extruded film 30, and a communication media 32 such as a mini compact disc. The communication media 32 is positioned between the substrate 28 and the extruded film 30 and may be adhesively attached to the substrate 28. The extruded film 30 is partially adhered to the substrate 28 around the respective peripheries such that the communication media 32 is encapsulated between the substrate 28 and the extruded film 30. The substrate 28 includes an integral pull tab 34 that extends from a portion of the outer periphery thereof and permits the promotional item 20 to be removed from the bottom recess 22 of the container 10 by pulling on the pull tab 34. The substrate 28 can be made of a paper material, which be coated on either side, and has a substantially circular shape so that the substrate 28 may easily conform to the shape of the lower portion 18 b of the container 10 as well as the communication media 32. The extruded film 30 can be made of clear plastic film or any other conventional material which protect and seal the communication media 32. The extruded film 30 is removable and sized to conform to the shape of the communication media 32 and the substrate 28.

FIG. 2 illustrates the promotional item 20 which is frictionally received by the lower portion 18 b of the promotional container 10. The promotional item 20 may be secured to the lower portion 18 b of the container 10 by using hot melt adhesive, in which case, the promotional item 20 no longer relies solely on the friction fit or conform to the shape of the lower portion 18 b of the container 10.

It is customary to stack the containers/cups on one another for easy packaging, transportation, and placing the cups in confined spaces. The typical orientation of the containers/cups to use allows the promotional item 20 to maintain its visibility and capture consumers' attention. In operation, a user grabs the pull tab 34 and pulls on the pull tab 34 to remove the promotional item 20 from the underside of the container 10. Then, the extruded film 30 can be easily tear off and remove the communication media 32 from the substrate 28.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the perspective view of FIG. 2 and illustrate the relative dimensional size of each of the components of the promotional item 20 with respect to the bottom wall 16. The substrate 28 has a larger diameter than the diameter of the bottom wall and therefore the substrate 28 is folded downwardly and takes on a wrinkled or partially overlapped 36 orientation when the promotional item 20 is frictionally or press fitted into the bottom recess 22 as illustrated in FIG. 2. This wrinkled or partially overlapped 36 orientation serves to frictionally engage an inner annular surface of the side wall 14 in the lower portion 18 b of the promotional container 10, thereby securely (but removeably) retaining the promotional item 20.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the communication media 32 includes a diameter that is approximately the same as the diameter of the bottom recess 22 so that the promotional item 20 can be fit into the bottom recess 22. The communication media 32 is positioned between the substrate 28 and the extruded film 30 such that the substrate 28 is partially adhered to the extruded film 30 to encapsulate the communication media 32 while the communication media 32 is visible through the extruded film 30.

FIG. 5 is a portion of a perspective view of the promotional container 10 in FIG. 2 depicting an alternative manner the promotional item 20 can be attached to the underside the container 10 in accordance with the present invention. A plurality of raised bumps 38 spaced apart from one another and integrally attached to an inner surface of the side wall 14 in proximity of the bottom end 24 b. In use, the promotional item 20 is snapped into the bottom recess 22 such that the promotional item 20 seats against the raised bumps 38.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A promotional container comprising: a body having a side wall and a bottom wall, the bottom wall defines an upper portion and a lower portion of the body; and a promotional item is removeably attached to the lower portion of the body.
 2. The promotional container of claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the body includes a bottom recess to receive the promotional item.
 3. The promotional container of claim 1 wherein the side wall includes top and bottom ends, wherein the top end forms a rolled lip and wherein the bottom end is below the bottom wall.
 4. The promotional container of claim 1 wherein the promotional item is a blister packaged press fitted in the bottom recess of the body.
 5. The promotional container of claim 1 wherein the blister packaged comprises a substrate having a pull tab, an extruded film partially adhered to the substrate, and a communication media disposed between the substrate and the extruded film.
 6. The promotional container of claim 5 wherein the pull tab permits the promotional item to be removed from the bottom recess of the body.
 7. The promotional container of claim 6 wherein the body is generally an inverse frustoconical in shape.
 8. The promotional container of claim 1 wherein the side wall further comprises a plurality of raised bumps spaced apart form one another and integrally attached to an inner surface of the side wall in proximity of the bottom end.
 9. The promotional container of claim 8 wherein the plurality of raised bumps configured to hold the promotional item in the bottom recess.
 10. A promotional item for use on a cup-shaped container, the promotional item comprising: a substrate; an extruded film; and a communication media positioned between the substrate and the extruded film such that the extruded film is at least partially adhered to the substrate to encapsulate the communication media while the communication media is at least partially visible through the extruded film and wherein the promotional item is removeably attached to an underside of the container.
 11. The promotional item of claim 10 wherein the substrate comprises an integrally attached pull tab to permit the promotional item to be removed from the container.
 12. The promotional item of claim 10 wherein the promotional item is frictionally retained by the container.
 13. The promotional item of claim 10 wherein the promotional item is retained to the underside of the container by a plurality of raised bumps.
 14. A container adapted to be used with a promotional item comprising: a side wall; and a bottom wall configured to separate the side wall into an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein the lower portion of the side wall is adapted to removeably retain the promotional item while maintaining visibility of the promotional item.
 15. The container of claim 14 wherein the bottom wall and the lower portion of the side wall are configured to form a bottom recess wherein the promotional item is frictionally retained in the bottom recess.
 16. The container of claim 14 wherein the bottom wall has a configuration that is substantially similar to configuration of the promotional item.
 17. The container of claim 14 wherein the promotional item comprises a substrate having a pull tab, an extruded film partially adhered to the substrate, and a communication media disposed between the substrate and the extruded film. 